February 15, 2013 4:37 pm

The City of Tacoma has hired Andrew “Andy” Cherullo, the chief financial officer for the Washington State Health Care Authority, to be its next finance director.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team at the City of Tacoma,” Cherullo is quoted in a press release issued by the City on Friday. “I stand prepared to help the organization tackle its budgetary challenges, move in a positive direction and maintain financial performance during these challenging times.”

Cherullo is set to start his new job on Feb. 28 and will make $172,619 per year. He will replace Tacoma’s Interim Finance Director Steve Call, who helped guide the city through its massive budget overhaul during the 2013-14 general fund budget process.

Call, a retired King County budget director, was tapped to temporarily fill the job in mid-2012 after new City Manager T.C. Broadnaxfired then-Finance Director Bob Biles. Biles made $189,306 in total compensation in 2011 — his last full year in the job, records show.

According to his Linkedin account, Cherullo has more than 15 years experience in financial management, including working as deputy executive director and chief financial officer for the Massachusetts School Building Authority and as director of the Massachusetts House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means.

Cherullo has worked for about a year and nine months at Washington’s health care authority, where he made an $80,000 state salary in 2011, records show.

Here’s the city’s full press release on Cherullo’s hiring:

City hires Andrew Cherullo as finance director

City Manager T.C. Broadnax has appointed Andrew Cherullo to be the City of Tacoma’s finance director. With a demonstrated ability in developing and managing operating and capital budgets, overseeing and coordinating accounting and auditing activities, and implementing strategic plans to achieve organizational goals and policy objectives, Cherullo brings more than 15 years of experience leading the financial management and operations of dynamic, multi-billion dollar organizations.

On Feb. 28, 2013, Cherullo will step into the role previously occupied by Steve Call, who joined the City on Aug. 13, 2012 as interim finance director while a search was underway to fill the permanent position.

“Steve played a pivotal role in strengthening the City’s financial position, and I am very grateful for his assistance and many contributions,” said Broadnax. “Andrew brings tremendous strategic insight and financial experience to our organization, and he will play a key leadership role as we execute on strategies to move our organization into a more sustainable financial future.”

As the City’s chief financial officer, Cherullo will serve as financial advisor to the city manager and the city council, and oversee the operations and activities of the City’s finance department.

“I’m looking forward to joining the team at the City of Tacoma,” said Cherullo. “I stand prepared to help the organization tackle its budgetary challenges, move in a positive direction and maintain financial performance during these challenging times.”

Most recently, Cherullo served as the chief financial officer for the Washington State Health Care Authority in Olympia, Wash., and oversaw its $14 billion biennial operating budget. He also provided independent, centralized financial management, analysis and support to the agency for both the Medicaid program and the program for state employee and retiree health benefits.

Cherullo also served as the deputy executive director, chief operating officer and chief financial officer for the Massachusetts School Building Authority, and as the budget director and revenue director for the Massachusetts House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, where he began his career as a budget analyst.

Cherullo has bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from the University of Montana, and a master’s degree in economics from Tufts University.

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